Tara leaned back in her leather chair at the BCCI headquarters, her eyes scanning the lines of sketches sprawled across her desk.

Bold reds, calming blues, and the sleek arcs of geometric patterns danced across the paper.

She was tweaking the jersey designs for the team’s upcoming New Zealand tour, and though satisfied with her progress, there was still that inner perfectionist voice demanding more.

A sharp knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. Without waiting for her reply, Hardik Pandya strolled in, his usual confident grin plastered across his face.

“Tara!” he exclaimed, plopping down in the chair across from her.

She raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you be at practice?”

“Skipped the last half,” he admitted with a shrug. “I have more important things to discuss.”

She crossed her arms, amused. “Like what?”

“Like this.” He slid an envelope across her desk.

Tara opened it cautiously, unfolding a neatly typed invitation letter. As her eyes scanned the words, her heartbeat quickened.

It was an official invitation from the BCCI, asking her to accompany the Indian cricket team to New Zealand to oversee the branding and design elements for the tour.

“I don’t—” she started, but Hardik cut her off.

“Before you start overthinking, let me just say you’d be crazy to turn this down. You’re not just any designer, Tara. Your work’s been the talk of the team.”

Tara blinked, her mind racing. “This is... unexpected. I mean, I’ve never been on tour with you guys before.”

“And that’s exactly why it’s time,” Hardik said, leaning forward. “You’ve been part of the team’s story from behind the scenes for too long. This is your chance to see it all up close—and trust me, the guys are excited to have you.”

Tara smiled, though the weight of the decision lingered. Amid her excitement, a name surfaced in her thoughts: Matt. Her fiancé, and a New Zealand bowler.

Their long-distance relationship had been strained lately—her work in India and his international cricket schedule left little time for connection.

And now, the idea of being in the same place as him, albeit for work, brought a flicker of unease.

Would he be happy to see her, or would their already-faltering dynamic grow more complicated?

She shook her head, brushing the thought aside. This was a professional opportunity, one she couldn’t pass up.

“You’ll think about it?” Hardik prompted, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She nodded. “I will. Thank you, Hardik.”

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

The day had come, and Tara stood at the gate, her eyes scanning the crowd.

The Indian cricket team was boarding for their New Zealand tour, and she had been invited along to oversee the design elements for the jerseys and other branding during the trip.

She clutched her bag tightly, nerves mixing with the excitement of the unknown.

“Hey!” Yashasvi’s voice broke through the murmur of the crowd, and Tara turned to see him walking toward her, his boyish grin lighting up his face.

“You all set?” he asked, his tone warm and curious as his gaze flicked over her.

“Yeah, just a bit... nervous,” she admitted, adjusting the strap of her bag.

Yashasvi chuckled softly, his easygoing demeanor instantly calming. “Nervous? Come on, Tara, you’re the creative genius behind our jerseys. We’ve got more faith in you than you probably have in yourself.”

Tara laughed, shaking her head. “It’s just... different, you know? Designing in an office and traveling with a team are two completely different worlds.”

“Well, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Stick with me, and I’ll make sure you settle in,” Yashasvi said confidently, his smile reassuring.

“Thanks, Yashasvi,” Tara said with a genuine smile. His friendliness made the moment feel less overwhelming.

As they made their way toward the boarding gate, Tara noticed Shubman Gill talking with Ishan near the window.

When he saw her walking with Yashasvi, his smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he quickly masked it, offering her a small wave instead.

Tara felt her heart flutter at the sight of him, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside.

They’d barely exchanged a few words back at the stadium, but there was something undeniably magnetic about the way he carried himself.

“She seems to be getting along with Yashasvi,” Ishan remarked, his tone light as he glanced at Shubman.

“Yeah,” Shubman said shortly, his eyes lingering on Tara and Yashasvi for a moment too long. “Maybe a little too well.”

“Ready to fly with the stars?” Yashasvi joked, nudging Tara lightly as they approached the gate.

“Let’s see how long I last with you guys on the plane,” she responded with a playful smile.

The players began boarding, and Tara followed behind, joining them as they settled into their seats.

She was placed near the front, but as the plane took off, she noticed that Shubman had chosen a seat two rows behind her.

His eyes met hers briefly, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow. Tara quickly looked away, her heart racing, but not entirely from the altitude.

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

Tara was flipping through a magazine, trying to distract herself from the nerves she was still feeling.

The chatter of the players filled the cabin, and she could hear the occasional laugh or shout from one of them.

Her seat was a bit too quiet, so she couldn’t help but steal a glance over her shoulder.

Shubman was sitting with his headphones on, looking out the window, lost in his own world.
The others were talking, but Tara couldn’t quite focus on them.

Her thoughts kept drifting back to Shubman—how he had looked at her during their brief interactions, the teasing glint in his eyes when they had first met.

A few minutes later, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Shubman standing there, a mischievous smile on his face.

“Mind if I join you for a bit?” he asked, nodding to the empty seat next to her.

Tara hesitated for a moment, but then nodded, offering him a polite smile. “Sure.”

Shubman slid into the seat beside her, his presence both calming and oddly distracting.

They settled into a comfortable silence for a while, with Tara occasionally catching glimpses of him out of the corner of her eye.

His calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the rest of the team, who were joking and laughing around them.

“So,” Shubman said after a while, breaking the silence. “What’s the plan for New Zealand? You just going to design and then disappear, or are you going to actually show us around?”

Tara chuckled, appreciating the casual tone. “I’m here to work, but I might squeeze in a little sightseeing.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Sightseeing with us? You’re brave.”

“I didn’t come all this way to be a hermit,” she replied, her smile widening. “Besides, I’m sure you’ll need someone to keep you all in line.”

“True,” he agreed, nodding with a grin. “We’re pretty wild without supervision.”

They shared a laugh, and for a brief moment, Tara felt like she was just one of the team.

There was no pressure, no expectations—just the ease of the conversation and the warmth of his presence.

As they continued talking, Tara found herself getting lost in the comfort of their exchange. She felt normal for the first time in a while.

No design meetings, no anxious clients, just two people talking on a plane.

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

Shubman leaned back in his seat, his eyes flickering toward the window. “So, tell me something about you I wouldn’t guess. Something no one else knows.”

Tara hesitated, debating how much to reveal. Finally, she said, “Well, I’m engaged... to Matt Henry. The New Zealand bowler.”

Shubman raised his eyebrows in surprise, but his voice remained calm. “That’s... unexpected. How long have you two been together?”

Tara sighed, looking down at her hands. “It’s complicated. We’ve known each other since we were kids—our dads were college friends and always wanted this for us. We grew up as friends, and when we were old enough, our parents told us about their plans. It felt rushed, but we agreed. It wasn’t a love story, not really, but we thought we could make it work.”

Shubman’s curiosity deepened. “That sounds... intense. But you’re okay with it?”

She opened her mouth to reply but stopped mid-sentence. Her expression shifted as if the weight of her own words hit her for the first time. “I—” Tara paused, her voice faltering. “I thought I was. But lately...”

She trailed off, biting her lip. Her gaze fell to her lap, and she shook her head slightly, as if trying to dismiss the thought.

“Matt has been so distant lately. He’s always busy, and even when he isn’t, it feels like he’s somewhere else. I keep telling myself it’s just the stress of his matches or the wedding, but deep down, I don’t know anymore.”

Shubman leaned forward slightly, his brow furrowing. “Have you talked to him about how you feel?”

Tara gave a hollow laugh. “I’ve tried. But whenever I bring it up, he brushes it off or gives me these cold, short replies. It’s like he’s just... not there anymore.”

For a moment, Shubman didn’t respond. His gaze lingered on Tara, his expression unreadable. “That sounds tough. You deserve someone who actually makes you feel seen.”

Tara glanced up at him, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. “Thanks,” she said softly, managing a small smile.

As the silence stretched between them, Tara leaned back in her seat, her mind swirling. She suddenly realized how natural this conversation felt.

She barely knew Shubman—it was hardly their second or third conversation—and yet, here she was, spilling things she hadn’t even shared with her closest friends.

She chuckled lightly, shaking her head. “You know, it’s kind of crazy. I don’t usually open up to people like this. Especially not someone I’ve barely spoken to.”

Shubman tilted his head, his lips curving into a faint smile. “Why do you think that is?”

Tara hesitated, her fingers nervously toying with the strap of her bag. “I don’t know. There’s just... something about you. You’re easy to talk to. Like, I don’t feel judged or overanalyzed.”

His smile widened, and his voice softened. “Maybe it’s because I’m genuinely listening.”

Tara’s cheeks warmed, and she quickly looked away, feeling oddly vulnerable under his steady gaze. “Well, whatever it is, it’s... nice. Unexpected, but nice.”

Shubman watched her for a moment longer, his expression unreadable, before leaning back in his seat. “I think everyone needs someone who listens without expecting anything in return. I’m glad you feel that way with me.”

Tara glanced at him again, her chest tightening slightly at his words. It was a simple statement, but the kindness behind it felt like a balm to her frayed emotions.

She hadn’t realized just how much she needed a moment like this—an honest, unfiltered connection that felt effortless.

“Thanks again,” she murmured, her voice quieter this time.Shubman nodded, his eyes flicking back to the window.

But even as the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Tara couldn’t shake the feeling that this ease she felt with Shubman was something she hadn’t experienced in a long time—and it scared her just as much as it comforted her.

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

As the plane touched down in New Zealand, Tara couldn’t help but feel a twinge of excitement.

The landscape outside the window was breathtaking, and though she was here for work, a part of her felt a sense of adventure bubbling inside.

She had visited New Zealand before, though always with Matt, and that made this trip feel a little different.

The beauty of the place was familiar, but this time, she was here on her own, focusing solely on her work.

The team quickly gathered their things, and Tara made her way out with Hardik, who was already chatting away with Ishan.

Alongside them was Virat Kohli, who was as energetic and charismatic as always. He turned to Tara with a grin.

“New Zealand, huh? You’re going to love it here. I’m sure the work will be exciting, but make sure to enjoy the views too.”

Tara smiled, her nerves momentarily easing with Virat’s enthusiasm. “I plan to, but the work will keep me busy,” she replied.

Hardik was still talking, mostly about the tour and the matches ahead. “It’s going to be intense, but fun! You’ll see why we love it here,” he said, giving Tara an enthusiastic pat on the back.

“Plus, now you get to witness our greatness up close!”

Tara laughed. “I’m sure I’ll be in awe,” she said, but her mind was elsewhere, distracted by the thoughts of Shubman.

She couldn’t explain why, but it was just so easy to talk to him. It felt like they had known each other longer than they actually had.

Her gaze shifted toward Shubman a few steps ahead, his figure towering above the crowd. Their eyes met for a moment, and Tara felt the familiar flutter in her chest again.

“You ready for this?” Hardik asked, nudging her. “We’re about to hit the ground running. Let’s see if you can keep up.”

“Let’s see how it goes,” Tara replied, trying to sound casual. But her thoughts were still swirling, especially with Shubman just a few feet away.

Virat caught her distracted expression and smirked. “Tara, you look like you’re planning something. I thought you were here for work?” he teased, his eyes twinkling.

Tara blushed, looking away. “Just thinking about the work ahead,” she said quickly.

Virat raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Work, huh? Just don’t get too distracted by our charm,” he said with a wink. “You’ll need all your focus to keep up with us.”

Tara let out a soft laugh, grateful for the lightheartedness. But even as she joked with Virat, her eyes couldn’t help but flicker back to Shubman, who was still walking ahead.

It wasn’t just the work that had her mind racing—it was the undeniable pull she felt toward him.

It was only the beginning, but Tara knew this was going to be far more complicated than she had anticipated.